Club Drug Use
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Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

What is GHB?

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an illegal drug that is used as a muscle builder, a "party drug" and a "date-rape" drug. GHB is available in liquid form, powder form or as a pill. GHB has been linked to many serious illnesses and even deaths. GHB has many names.

A certain form of GHB, sodium oxybate, (brand name: Xyrem) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat some of the symptoms of narcolepsy (a chronic sleep disorder). In people with narcolepsy, Xyrem can reduce daytime sleepiness and reduce cataplexy (weak or paralyzed muscles) attacks. However, Xyrem is only available with a prescription and its use is very tightly restricted.

What are the dangers of GHB use?

There are many side effects of GHB. They include:

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Nausea

Vomiting

Loss of coordination

Changes in blood pressure

Trouble breathing

Aggressive behavior

Impaired judgment

Hallucinations

Seizures

Coma

Death

These effects usually appear 10 to 20 minutes after a person takes the drug.

Common street names of GHB

Blue nitro

Cherry fX bombs

Cherry meth

Easy lay

Everclear

Firewater

Gamma G

Georgia homeboy

GHB

G.H. revitalizer

Gib

Goops

Great hormones at bedtime

Grievous bodily harm

G-riffick

Growth hormone booster

Insom-X

Invigorate

Lemon fX drops

Liquid ecstasy

Liquid E

Liquid X

Longevity

Natural sleep-500

Nature's quaalude

Orange fX rush

Organic quaalude

Oxy-sleep

Poor man's heroin

Remforce

Revivarant

Salty water

Scoop

Soap

Somatomax PM

Somsanit

Vita-G

Water

Wolfies

Zonked

Should I be worried about GHB?

Yes. Because GHB has no color or smell, it can easily be slipped into drinks and food. Even a very small amount of GHB may cause a person to "black out" (become unconscious). This is why GHB is often used as a "date-rape" drug.

What should I tell my children about GHB?

GHB is used most often by teenagers and young adults. Talk with your children about the dangers of GHB. Warn them not to accept drinks from other people or drink from containers they didn't open themselves. Tell them to keep their drinks with them all the time, even if they go into the bathroom. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.